Harborside Atlantis exchange--got it!

[disney4me4ever]

We came home from a great vacation at BCV last evening. When we got home and reviewed our messages, our exchange for Harborside Atlantis came through! We don't have much time--it's a 1BR for 3/29 - 4/5, but we're taking it. This will be our 3rd trip to the Atlantis property, the first staying in the Villas.

 

[hrsmom]

 

[tomandrobin]

Excellent to hear! I saw that week on II last week, good for you!

How long ago did you request the week and how many points did it cost?

Did you get a deluxe or premium unit?

 

[disney4me4ever]

How long ago did you request the week and how many points did it cost?

Did you get a deluxe or premium unit?

Our original exchange request, for Westin St. John, was in Feb. 07; added HAR to the request 5/07. As far as deluxe or premium, I don't know. What is the difference between deluxe and premium and/or how do we tell? We were told by MS that it was a 1BR with a queen guilty: ). The exchange cost 144 points.

With this new system of automatic confirmations, this will probably be our last exchange, as my husband and I both work and need time to request the time off, arrange pet sitting, etc.

 

[PamOKW]

Congrats and can't wait to hear your "trip report"!

 

[tomandrobin]

Our original exchange request, for Westin St. John, was in Feb. 07; added HAR to the request 5/07. As far as deluxe or premium, I don't know. What is the difference between deluxe and premium and/or how do we tell? We were told by MS that it was a 1BR with a queen guilty: ). The exchange cost 144 points.

With this new system of automatic confirmations, this will probably be our last exchange, as my husband and I both work and need time to request the time off, arrange pet sitting, etc.

St John is pretty difficult, if not impossible trade to get. You got a one bedroom deluxe unit, the premium has a king bed.

Congrats!

 

[disney0210]

Our original exchange request, for Westin St. John, was in Feb. 07; added HAR to the request 5/07. As far as deluxe or premium, I don't know. What is the difference between deluxe and premium and/or how do we tell? We were told by MS that it was a 1BR with a queen guilty: ). The exchange cost 144 points.

With this new system of automatic confirmations, this will probably be our last exchange, as my husband and I both work and need time to request the time off, arrange pet sitting, etc.

You mean it took 10 months (from May 2007 to March 2008) before you got a confirmation for Harborside? Wow, that's a long time. I think the pre-planner in me won't be able to sleep at night not knowing if the vacation is a go or not until the very last minute

How do you do the exchange? Do you just deposit points to exchange with II or do you deposit a week that you've already booked at DVC and hope that someone is interested?

Congratulations to you!

 

[tomandrobin]

Oh, I forgot to mention, that week costs about $4000 dollars.

 

[CarolMN]

Congrats and can't wait to hear your "trip report"!

Ditto!

 

[Dean]

You mean it took 10 months (from May 2007 to March 2008) before you got a confirmation for Harborside? Wow, that's a long time. I think the pre-planner in me won't be able to sleep at night not knowing if the vacation is a go or not until the very last minute

How do you do the exchange? Do you just deposit points to exchange with II or do you deposit a week that you've already booked at DVC and hope that someone is interested?

Congratulations to you!

The way II works is anything under 60 days is considered fair game and much of the other restrictions are waived. Also, those that cancel or deposit late are penalized more once they get to 60 days and of course it's harder to travel 60 days out or less for most people. Thus you see a lot of activity at or under 60 days at resorts you wouldn't see otherwise. Also, many of the internal trading preferences, such as Marriott, are lessened or removed under 60 days. The end result is you get a lot of resorts on short notice that you wouldn't ever get through a regular search.

Thus one option is to plan a trip including dates and hope for something short notice. Many do this for HI and often get a great option. One of the problems with doing this short notice through DVC is that most II members could use an off season studio to get the same exchange that cost a boat load of DVC points.

DVC has two exchange options. One, request first, is where you put in a request, pay the exchange fee and let them know what resorts/unit sizes you'll accept and the dates. They don't take your points until a match is found but they do not contact you to let you know normally. The reason they did in this case as they were short notice and by II's rule, needed permission to proceed. The other option is deposit first which only makes sense with DVC is you would otherwise lose the points and want to get some value of them and don't want to rent for some reason.

 

[disney4me4ever]

You mean it took 10 months (from May 2007 to March 2008) before you got a confirmation for Harborside? Wow, that's a long time. I think the pre-planner in me won't be able to sleep at night not knowing if the vacation is a go or not until the very last minute!

10 months isn't bad for Harborside or St. John--if you are lucky enough to get the exchange at all. I did specify date ranges when I set up the original search and this did fall within our range. We didn't want to not have any winter getaway planned, hence our "backup" trip to BCV. Having stayed concierge at the Royal Towers the last 2 times we were at Atlantis, it will be interesting to compare the villa experience.

 

[tomandrobin]

10 months isn't bad for Harborside or St. John--if you are lucky enough to get the exchange at all. I did specify date ranges when I set up the original search and this did fall within our range. We didn't want to not have any winter getaway planned, hence our "backup" trip to BCV. Having stayed concierge at the Royal Towers the last 2 times we were at Atlantis, it will be interesting to compare the villa experience.

Ew, not a good comparison. Club level to a condo at the marina! My money is on the club level giving the better experience.

 

[KLR-wlv]

We stayed in a 1br at the villas about 18 months ago. I thought they were really very nice. we got a corner balcony room with a view of the channel and Atlantis. (I traded a Starwood property thru II). The pool at Harborside is nice - nothing compared to the Atlantis property - but still nice. THe bus service to Atlantis is very convenient and runs frequently. Since you've been there, you know the extremely high cost of food...$8 bottle of waters and $6 ice cream bars...Which makes the kitchen in the units nice to have. Have a great time!!

 

[mbw12]

GREAT for you!!!! I love hearing about people's trade experiences.....PLEASE give us a trip report when you get back!!!!!!

have a wonderful time!!!!!!!!!

 

[Zane_Anthony]

$8 bottle of waters and $6 ice cream bars...

really?

 

[disneymomjcs]

I put in for an exchange with II August 07 for July 09 for a two bedroom that sleeps eight.

I put in for any week in July starting Fri, Sat or Sunday. Does it really take up to two years for an exchange. I really hope this comes through. At some point I might need to add another place but in searching I realized not all of the resorts on II for Disney hold eight people.

Anyone have any exchanges that came through for Harborside not at the last minute. Airfare etc is a concern.

Thanks!

 

[Tracy0729]

I also have a exchange in for the whole Summer of 2009 nothing has come thur and from what I hear my chances for Harborside are not that good. Good luck with your exchange. Tracy

 

[tomandrobin]

I put in for an exchange with II August 07 for July 09 for a two bedroom that sleeps eight.

I also have a exchange in for the whole Summer of 2009

Having made your requests so far in advance helps. The earlier the request, the better your chance for an successful exchange.

 

[tomandrobin]

I put in for an exchange with II August 07 for July 09 for a two bedroom that sleeps eight.

I put in for any week in July starting Fri, Sat or Sunday. Does it really take up to two years for an exchange. I really hope this comes through. At some point I might need to add another place but in searching I realized not all of the resorts on II for Disney hold eight people.

Anyone have any exchanges that came through for Harborside not at the last minute. Airfare etc is a concern.

Thanks!

There are a couple regarding Harborside that need explaining to understand your exchange request.

First, Harborside is a Starwood resort, and participated in the Starwood Vacation Network. (Starwood owns Sheraton, Westin, Swan & Dolphin @ WDW etc.) Second, owners at the resort get first chance to book, which is 12-8 months out. Then other Starwood owners get a chance to book left overs at the 8 month mark. Third, unlike most timeshare companies Starwood controls all of the II inventory. If a owner decides to trade via II, starwood will take thier week and deposit a week probably from a lesser resort. That traded week becomes available to other starwood owners first, via the internal exchange network. Fourth, owning at Harborside is very expensive and maintenance fees a very high. A two bedroom owner pays over $2000 per year in fees. So if an onwer does not use thier week, they usually will rent out thier week, instead of depositing. More then likely, any other trade for them will be a trade down and not worth the trade.

This is why Harborside is such a tough trade to make. Good news though, Harborside is going to build a phase 3 and add an additional 300 units. This could make trading easier in the future.

 

[disneymomjcs]

Thanks everyone for the replys. Maybe I should add lots to more weeks to increase my chances but it looks like it might be a shot in the dark.

Well it looked beautiful. Maybe I should think about renting it.

Thanks again